Laboratory activities
1- Microbiological analysis of food and dairy products including; Aerobic total count, Enterobacteriaceae count, coliform count, E. coli count, detection of Salmonella Staphylococci coagulase (+) count, Staphylococci coagulase () count, detection of Listeria, yeast, and molds count, spore-forming count, count of clostridium, B. cereus and Thermophilic spore-forming bacteria.
2- Microbiological analysis of water.
3- Detection of Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocitogenus, E. coli, and Brucella spp. by real-time PCR
4- Chemical analysis of milk, dairy products, and food including determination of fat, Acidity, pH, Total solid, Salt Content, ash, protein, sugars, and moisture content.
5- Detection of adulteration in milk and dairy products.
6- Fatty acid profile analysis by Gas chromatography
7- Technical support and problem-resolving for cheese sectors in Egypt.
To be one of the powerful and most reliable laboratories in the field of chemical and microbiological testing in dairy and food products, and to exceed customer expectations by providing professional services with the highest levels of quality and integrity. Providing innovative solutions for product development and solving problems in the dairy industry.
Being one of the most reliable and service-oriented labs in our field, nationally and internationally accredited, changing the concept of the quality of analysis in Egypt by putting our fingerprint through applying the maximum quality standards while keeping compliance to ethical, regulatory, and scientific requirements.
List Specialized Equipment
All equipment and facilities for microbiology and chemical analysis of food, dairy, and water which included;
Conductivity Meter - pH Meter 3 Autoclaves, 3 Vortex, 4 Water baths, 3 Microscopes, 7 Incubators, 2 Dryer Oven, Cooling Incubator, 6 Hot Plate & stirrer, 2 Water distillation 5 Balances, 5 Refrigerators, 3 Freezer-20, 6 C Micropipette 100-1000 µl, 2 Thermometer hygrometer, Real-time PCR, U.V/vis spectrophotometer, Stomacher, ELISA plate analyzer, 4 Centrifuge, ELISA plate analyzer, Viscometer, Gerber Centrifuge, ULTRATURIX, Microscope with camera (phase contrast) Muffle, Freezer -80 C°, gas chromatography, freeze dryer.
unique expertise/technologies
The lab is unique in detecting the non-milk fat in milk and dairy products, as well as detecting the adulteration of high-cost oils and fats with low-cost oils or fats and determining the level of trans fatty acids in foods.
University researchers;Entrepreneurs;Startups;
beneficaiaries access the services
Fee-based services
List any past collaborations with industry or any other institution
1. Development of a label-free new technology based on Raman spectroscopy and artificial intelligence for food safety. Funded by Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF), 2024-2026, partner of research group (Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, National Research Centre, Alexandria University, Helwan University).
2. Manufacture Ras cheese using starter culture with the best salting method. Funded by the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (2023-2025), collaboration with Katilo for dairy
3. Discovery and Innovation of Functional Strains of Traditional Fermented Food between China and Egypt. Funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF), 2022-2024, in collaboration with Southwest University, China
4. Safe, rapid antimicrobial disinfectants for controlling of biofilm formation in dairy industries, Funded by Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, 2020-2023.
5. Microbial and Chemical Safety Criteria of Traditional Egyptian Cheese. Funded by the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (2018-2020). Principal Investigator
6. Accreditation (ISO 17025) the laboratory dairy microorganisms and cheese research. Funded by the Egyptian ministry of high education and scientific research (2016-2018).
7. African Food Tradition Revisited by Research. Funded by the European Union under the SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME (2010-2014).
Key Outcomes
1- Establishing the laboratory with modern equipment and facilities
2- Publications of some articles in Scopus journals and master's and Ph.D. theses.
3- Isolation of more than 1000 strains, some for food applications
4- Analyzing more than 3000 samples for food industries and customers.
5- Solve problems for some dairy sector
6- Training and workshops for students and workers in food sectors
The "Unit" currently holds partnership(s)
Industry;
Some Questions & Answers
What are the opportunities for collaboration?
1- Analyze food samples in an accredited laboratory.
2- Solve problems related to food quality and safety.
3- Cooperation in scientific research in the field of food quality and safety and improving industry production.
What are the funding sources to operate the "Unit"?
1- Research Projects Fund 2- The value of analyzing samples from laboratory clients
Is the "Unit" charging fees against its services?
Yes;
What are the major operational challenges?
Equipment maintenance;
activities that Unit can contribute to, in the Technology Park
Research and Development;Training and Education;Consulting Services;Technology Transfer;
List planned upgrades/expansions of the "Unit"
1- Increase the accredited tests
2- Cooperation with the accredited units in water analysis at the University of Alexandria, as most of these units are accredited in water analysis and our laboratory is accredited in microbiological analyses, and thus cooperation is possible in integrating microbiological water analysis.
What additional services can the "Unit" offer?
Accredited tests in chemical analysis of food. Accreditation in reference materials; chemical reference materials and microbiological reference strains.
If needed, what is the support expected from the Technology Park?
Under the umbrella of the Alexandria University Company, it facilitates the marketing of laboratory services, facilitating procedures for providing new services such as standard materials and paying accreditation costs in the first stage.